Rock Rose
Last updated 16 May 2026
Distilled at Dunnet Bay in Caithness, just down the road from John o'Groats. Rock Rose uses local botanicals including rhodiola rosea — the wildflower that gives the gin its name and a distinctive earthy character.
Genuinely distinctive. Rock Rose is one of the few Scottish gins where the local botanicals — particularly rhodiola — change the flavour profile in a way you can taste, not just market. The seasonal editions are a clever idea executed well. Worth supporting on the values too: small, family-owned, properly remote.
Tasting notes
Earthy, slightly tart, with a clear juniper backbone and a distinctive rhodiola note that you don’t get in any other Scottish gin. The seasonal editions (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) are worth collecting if you’re into the brand — each one shifts the botanical profile noticeably.
- Nose
- Juniper, fresh herbs, faint pine, hint of berry
- Palate
- Dry juniper entry, earthy rhodiola mid-palate, light berry sweetness
- Finish
- Medium length, slightly tart, herbal
Flavour profile
- juniper3/5
- citrus3/5
- floral3/5
- herbal4/5
- spice2/5
- sweet2/5
Botanicals
Built around rhodiola rosea (the rock rose wildflower) and other Caithness foraged botanicals — earthy, slightly tart, distinctively northern
How it’s made
- Production
- Distilled in a single small copper still at Dunnet Bay. Botanicals are macerated for 12 hours before distillation.
- Still type
- Single copper pot still ("Elizabeth")
- Base spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
Perfect serve
Walter Gregor’s tonic, pink grapefruit slice, rosemary sprig.
- Tonic
- Walter Gregor’s tonic (also made by the same distillery) or a Mediterranean tonic
- Garnish
- Pink grapefruit slice and a sprig of rosemary
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Ice
- Big cubes — the earthy notes hold up to chilling.
Walter Gregor’s tonic was developed at the same distillery for this gin — the pairing is genuinely better than with a generic tonic.
Cocktails to make with Rock Rose
Rock Rose Highland Negroni
Rocks
- 25ml Rock Rose
- 25ml Campari
- 25ml Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
- Orange peel
Stir all ingredients with ice for 30 seconds. Strain over a large ice cube. Express orange oil over the top.
Food pairings
The herbal, earthy character pairs with game and cured meats better than most gins.
- Smoked salmon
- Game pâté
- Aged cheddar
- Roast venison
Where to buy
Supermarket availability
| Supermarket | Stocked | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| tesco | Yes | £35 |
| waitrose | Yes | £36 |
Other expressions from Rock Rose
Rock Rose Pink
Sweeter, fruitier, easier to drink without tonic. Good with prosecco for a summer spritz.
Rock Rose Navy Strength
Punchier, oilier, structurally bigger — built for cocktails and martinis.
Visit the distillery
A small but warm distillery tour at Dunnet Bay, on the very north coast. Worth combining with Dunnet Head and a stop at John o'Groats.
From £15
Book a tourFrequently asked questions
+What is rhodiola rosea?
A hardy alpine wildflower that grows on the cliffs of northern Scotland. It gives Rock Rose its earthy, slightly tart character — distinct from the floral or citrus notes more common in Scottish gins.
+Where is Rock Rose distilled?
At Dunnet Bay Distillery in Caithness, on the very north coast of mainland Scotland — about 10 minutes from John o’Groats.
+Are the Rock Rose seasonal editions worth it?
Yes if you’re a fan of the core gin and want to see how the botanicals shift through the year. Each release is genuinely different — Summer is fruitier, Winter is spicier. Limited stock so don’t wait.
+What does Walter Gregor’s tonic taste like?
Walter Gregor’s is a Scottish tonic also made by Dunnet Bay Distillers, designed to pair with Rock Rose. Drier and more botanical than supermarket tonics — it lifts the herbal notes in the gin.
Compare with similar gins
The Botanist
contemporary · islay
Made at the Bruichladdich whisky distillery on Islay, distilled with 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals on top of nine classics. Run through the same 'Ugly Betty' Lomond still that's now spent more time making gin than the whisky it was originally built for.
Caorunn
contemporary · speyside
Made at Balmenach whisky distillery on Speyside, Caorunn (pronounced "ka-roon") uses five Celtic botanicals on top of the classic six. Vapour-infused in a unique copper berry chamber, with a clear apple note that sets it apart.
Kirkjuvagr Orkney Gin
contemporary · islands
Orkney's first dedicated gin distillery, on the harbour in Kirkwall. Kirkjuvagr (the Old Norse name for Kirkwall, pronounced 'kirk-you-vaar') uses Scapa Flow seaweed as a signature botanical alongside Orcadian angelica and burnet rose.
Where to stay near Dunnet Bay Distillery
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Rock Rose's distillery.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your distillery visit
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